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Youngsters shine as St. Bakhita emerge PIPSSA long-course champions
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 17.03.25. | 14:08
The gala attracted over 300 swimmers competing in more than 1,000 entries
St. Bakhita Schools emerged as the overall winners of the Private Primary Schools Sports Association (PIPSSA) long-course invitational swimming championship held this weekend at Kasarani Arena.
The institution secured first place in both the boys’ and girls’ categories as well as the overall ranking, finishing with an impressive total of 4,171 points.
Moi Educational Centre came second with 1,990 points, while Foresight Academy took third place with 971 points.
The one-day gala witnessed a massive turnout, with over 300 swimmers competing in more than 1,000 entries, a testament to the sport’s growing popularity among young athletes in Kenya.
Among the other schools and clubs that took part in the event include: Aqua Warriors, Condor Swim Club, Juja Preparatory, Santana Calm Waters Academy, Vidhu Ramji, and Xtreme Sports Academy.
The competition witnessed young swimmers stand out, headlined by 11-year-old Kivale Jabulani from St. Bakhita School, who delivered a stunning performance in the 50m backstroke, clinching gold with a time of 53.54 seconds.
Another was Nina Gacheri, 15, who emerged victorious in the 50m backstroke, clocking 1:15.67 to secure gold in the 14-15 age category.
PIPSSA Kenya official Francis Mwangi was elated by the overwhelming participation, commending the schools and clubs for their commitment to competitive swimming.
He encouraged more institutions to embrace the sport, noting that it plays a crucial role in developing young athletes and shaping the future of swimming in Kenya.
His sentiments were echoed by Rachel Gathoni from Genesis Sports Limited, one of the event’s sponsors, who expressed her satisfaction with the turnout and reaffirmed her team’s commitment to supporting young swimmers.
She urged schools to seize such opportunities, emphasizing that platforms like these open doors for young athletes to excel.
With the swimming gala successfully concluded, attention now shifts to the next PIPSSA event on Saturday, 22 March, where the PIPSSA Kenya Skating Championship will take centre stage at the same venue.
The term’s sporting activities will culminate in the much-anticipated Kigali International Mini-Games in Rwanda from Thursday 3 to Monday 7 April, where participants will not only compete but also engage in a cultural and historical tour, including a visit to the famous Genocide Museum.
